Averett Women’s Basketball Withstands Furious Emory & Henry Rally, 60-56, Monday

Averett Women’s Basketball Withstands Furious Emory & Henry Rally, 60-56, Monday

EMORY, Va. – The Averett University Women's Basketball Team (1-2) was able to withstand a furious second-half rally by Emory & Henry College (1-3) as it came away with a 60-56 win on Monday evening at Bob Johnson Court.

The Cougars got out to a 12-0 lead in the first 5:41 of the contest, but the Wasps came swarming back. E&H went on a 16-1 run over the next 4:51 to take a 16-13 lead with 9:28 remaining while hitting its first 12 free throw attempts.

Averett would extend its lead back to double digits (35-23 with 13 seconds remaining), but a jumper by junior forward JoBeth Wright (Mooresville, N.C.) closed the gap to 10 points.

Mid-way through the second half, the Cougars used a 9-2 lead to go up 50-35 with 9:36 on the clock, their largest lead of the contest.

Emory & Henry then unleashed a firestorm of offense combined with stifling defensive play to score 21 of the next 25 points. Sophomore guard Michelle Williams (Stokesdale, N.C.) scored 17 of the Wasps points during the span, hitting five three-point baskets to give E&H its first lead since the 7:36 mark of the first half, 56-54.

On the next possession, Averett's Shannon Smith threw up a contested three-point attempt from NBA range which found its way into the basket for a 57-56 lead. Emory & Henry had nine seconds with which to work, but were unable to convert. Averett hit a free throw and a layup at the buzzer for the 60-56 final margin.

The Cougars were led by Smith with 17 points and six rebounds while Mette Scheiman had 16 points, nine rebounds and eight steals in the contest. As a team, Averett pulled down 26 offensive rebounds and got 20 second-chance points for its effort.

Emory & Henry was paced by Williams' 17 point performance. After starting 0-for-4 from beyond the arc, Williams hit five of her last six attempts to excite the crowd. Freshman forward Karina Farr (Graham, Wash.) had her second double-double in as many games and her third of the season as she posted 12 points and 12 rebounds. Wright ended the night with nine points and six boards for the Wasps.

As a team, Emory & Henry hit 21-of-28 attempts from the free throw line despite shooting just 27.8 percent (15-for-54) from the field.

The Wasps will return to Bob Johnson Court on Wednesday as they open Old Dominion Athletic Conference play against the WildCats of Randolph College. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m.

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